Man picked up in Middleton now faces deportation

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that a man who was living in the United States illegally and was picked up in Middleton last December is now facing deportation.

Wendall Waters wwaters@wickedlocal.com @ttranscript

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that a man who was living in the United States illegally and was picked up in Middleton last December has pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court in Boston for a federal immigration crime.

Hirain Dermin Robles-Gomez, 44, a Guatemalan national who has been living in Lynn, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served of approximately three months.

DOJ spokesperson Christina DiIorio-Sterling said Robles-Gomez was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and will be be subject to deportation.

According to the DOJ, Robles-Gomez was deported in 1996, but federal authorities found him in Middleton in December 2016 and determined he was here illegally.

DiIorio-Sterling said she could not comment on the specifics of how ICE became involved in this case.

Middleton Police Chief James DiGianvittorio said that while ICE officials are becoming more vigilant, Middleton Police only contact them if in the course of investigating, a suspect is found to be in the United States illegally. There was a recent case, however, when ICE contacted Middleton Police for assistance with arresting an illegal immigrant, he said.

DiGianvittorio said his department arrested a man in February for operating under the influence of liquor and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. That man, the chief said, was also wanted on a warrant.

The suspect was taken to court and later released. He was staying at a house in Middleton, DiGianvittorio said, when ICE officials contacted the Middleton Police Department for assistance in arresting him.

The suspect, the chief said, was cooperative and was taken to ICE's Burlington, Mass. location.